Social Media and Narratives during Intractable Conflicts: The Case of Israel and the Palestinians

Online social networks become an unexpected variable in the equation of conflict development and resolution, and existing research has identified opposing influences: a polarizing effect that further divides the opponents (Bail, 2018; Warren, 2015; Miro-Llinares & Rodriguez-Sala, 2016; Awan, 2016; Ben-David & Matamoros-Fernandez, 2016; Mondal, et al., 2017), but also positive effects (Zeitzoff, 2018), a bridging effect that creates common ground, and can even be used as a potential peace-building tool (Mor et al., 2016; Sutzl, 2016; Barbera, 2014). The research focuses on Israel and the Palestinians, and it aims to improve understanding about the role of social media during conflicts, by examining narratives in this platform. Narratives have a significant role in times of conflicts, as they provide justification and explanation to the conflict, causes for its eruption, its dynamic, their own society, the rival’s society, and the desired solution (Bar-Tal, 2007, 2013; Bar-Tal, Rosen, & Nets-Zehngut, 2009; Kriesberg, 1993; Salomon, 2004; Elkins, 2005; Hammack, 2011). Those narratives become a part of the cycle that perpetuates conflicts (Bar-Tal 2007, 2013), and they are an important target for change, when promoting inter-group reconciliation (Salomon, 2004). Social media is one of the channels for constructing and disseminating narratives of conflicts, and it is seen nowadays as an important player during conflicts (The New York Times, 7-8.9.2019). In this platform, dominant actors can be challenged by alternative actors with less resources, visibility, and attention (Fuchs, 2010). The linear model of communication has been changed (McQuail, 1970), and the privilege to take part in the public sphere is now extended beyond the traditional political influencers and opinion leaders. Any social media user can expand the role from being part of the audience, to function also as content producer. This way, alongside the institutional producers of media content, new online media platforms have contributed to the development of content generated by the audience itself (Rosen, 2006). This is one of the characteristics of this platforms which can make it more pluralistic, especially compared to traditional media. The overarching research question explores whether social media can be an alternative platform that undermines the mainstream narrative about a conflict. The existing narratives in social media can be either polarizing, if they are similar to the hegemonic narratives which support the conflict’s continuation and escalate the relations between groups; or alternatively, they can have a bridging effect, as individuals are exposed to different framing and point of views, which usually get less expression and exposure in the public sphere. The conference presentation will focus on the communicators, relevant actors who disseminate messages about a conflict - politicians, NGOs, and individuals such as activists and journalists. They make conscious or unconscious framing judgments in deciding what to say, guided by frames that organize their belief systems (Entman (1993). Using semi-structured interviews, I will present how the communicators frame the content and construct their narratives, how they perceive their acceptance by the public, and what is the role of social media during conflicts, as they see it.